History of the Cuban Sandwich, Tampa vs. Miami

If you live in Tampa, you know that the Cuban Sandwich is a very popular menu item in many Tampa restaurants and is an item that is uniquely Tampa.   Here is a little history of the Cuban Sandwich.

I was just reading an article in the Florida Trend Magazine that interviewed Richard Gonzmart, the president of the Columbia Restaurant chain.

According to Gonzmart, the Cuban Sandwich is not really a Cuban food item.  It is really a Tampa sandwich.  In Miami, they also do a Cuban Sandwich, but they do it a little different:  they leave out the salami. The sandwich is really a combination of different influences that formed the Tampa community back in the 1800's.

Italian influence - Salami
Spanish influence - Ham
Cuban influence - Pork
German influence - Mustard and Pickles

And he even mentioned that in the 1940's, it was actually called a "Mixed Sandwich".

Below is a picture of a Cuban Sandwich (photo source:  wikipedia.com)

Flan Fest, Fiesta Day in Ybor City, this Saturday

Celebrate the magnificent culture and food of Ybor City with Fiesta Day being held with the Ybor City Saturday Market at Centennial Park.

Cost: Free

Located on the corner of Eighth Avenue and 18th St, Ybor City

Watch the International Parade of Flags and check out this year’s Flan Fest competition.

The video below is the Columbia Restaurant's delicious paella cooking steaming and simmering to a mouth-watering delight!